Bonney Lake Police Warn Of Rise In Car Part Thefts

BONNEY LAKE, WA — Police are warning drivers in the Bonney Lake area to be extra cautious, as there's been a recent rise in car part thefts.

More specifically, Bonney Lake police say they've seen a spike in catalytic converter thefts. Catalytic converters are exhaust emission control devices that hang on your car's underside.

They're also a popular target for thieves.

The converters are made up of several valuable metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium. The stolen devices can be sold online or to scrapyards, sometimes netting up to a $1,000. Victims, meanwhile, can be left with a repair bill of several thousand dollars.

To prevent becoming a victim of these thefts, Bonney Lake police recommend that drivers:

• Park in garages or in well lit areas.
• Use video surveillance, when possible.
• Consider installing a catalytic theft prevention device or car alarm.
• Mark the converter with the car's VIN.

Finally, if your converter is stolen: report it to police immediately.